SEPARATING THE SPIRITUAL FROM THE PHYSICAL
THE HIDDEN MEANING
INTRODUCTION
In these next scriptures, we at VAL-TE’ believe refers to the idea that material possessions and wealth accumulated during one’s lifetime cannot be carried into the afterlife. Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” So Immanuel said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’” And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” Then Immanuel, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then Immanuel looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Immanuel answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” But Immanuel looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10: 17-27 NKJV
Biblical Word
GREED – But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6: 6-10 NIV
Reference
Luke 12: 13-21 – A man in the crowd said to Immanuel, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide with me the property our father left us.” Immanuel answered him, “Friend, who gave me the right to judge or to divide the property between you two?” And he went on to say to them all, “Watch out and guard yourselves from every kind of greed; because your true life is not made up of the things you own, no matter how rich you may be.” Then Immanuel told them this parable: “There was once a rich man who had land which bore good crops. He began to think to himself, ‘I don’t have a place to keep all my crops. What can I do? This is what I will do,’ he told himself; ‘I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, where I will store the grain and all my other goods. Then I will say to myself, Lucky man! You have all the good things you need for many years. Take life easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night you will have to give up your life; then who will get all these things you have kept for yourself?’” And Immanuel concluded, “This is how it is with those who pile up riches for themselves but are not rich in God’s sight.” GNT
Significance
Excessive Pride (A strong sense of self-importance and a tendency to overestimate one’s own value, often leading to a lack of humility and gratitude) – We at VAL-TE’ also believe urges reconsideration of what truly matters in life. While acquiring wealth and possessions is not inherently wrong, emphasizes that the ultimate joy and fulfillment come from the relationship with God and how people use their lives and resources to honor Him and care for others, rather than focusing solely on temporary material gain. Often refers to an excessive focus on one’s own appearance, achievements, or possessions, seeing them as the ultimate measure of worth, rather than focusing on spiritual growth and connection with something greater than oneself.
